Color trends start in fashion and design circles and spread to other industries. One moment, we love warm palettes and harvest colors. The next moment, it’s bright neons and cool grays. But preferences change over time as people embrace different facets of our culture. Colors naturally trigger subconscious emotional responses — some good and some

Business logos are the foundation of a company’s visual identity and are often the first impression people have of a brand. Good or bad, consumers can make quick judgments about an organization based on their reaction to a logo and whether or not they perceive the brand to align with their own personal values. So,

Why are stories so powerful? Stories tap into human feelings that everyone can relate to. Hope. Love. Fear. Excitement. Triumph. Failure. The emotions behind a story are accessible even when the characters and setting are unfamiliar. Telling business stories is how you get customers to see a product as more than a commodity. Every product

Designing a logo is a big step toward turning your small business into a recognizable brand. A brand represents the sum of all the promises and experiences you deliver as a business. When you use your logo, it unifies all your visual touchpoints to reinforce positive feelings about your brand. Customers come in contact with

A business name says everything about your brand. If done well a business name evokes emotion, stands out in the mind, is memorable, and reminds the customer of your business in a millisecond. But what about business name fails? What do you do when you have selected one of the worst business names possible? Hopefully

While a strong and consistent visual identity is critical to a successful brand, your company’s brand is much more than a logo and visuals. We want to discuss why a strong visual brand is important to consistent branding overall, but first, let’s cover some brand basics. According to Seth Godin, author of Linchpin, Tribes, and

In the world of fashion, what’s that famous motto of fashion consultant Tim Gunn? “One day you’re in, the next day you’re out.” For these three businesses, however, that doesn’t exactly ring true. My Subscription Addiction, ModCloth, and TOMS have a combination of 30 years in the fashion industry and quite memorable brands. Each holds

Ever feel like you’re working too hard to keep customers coming back? Too often, small business owners make their jobs twice as hard because they don’t take the time to build a brand. They think of branding as optional, instead of treating it as the key to a strong business model. Imagine meeting a person

Don’t be surprised if choosing a good business name is harder than you expected. After all, brainstorming is just the beginning. Your idea list quickly shrinks once you get rid of all the great names that are already taken. And then, you have to worry about branding, trademark laws, spelling snafus, and much more. The

Making your business a success is one giant puzzle, and choosing a business name is one of your first tests. The right name is memorable and provides the foundation for a great brand. But working with a weak (or just plain bad) name is a constant struggle. It can make your company forgettable or unforgettable